DEAD SEA, Jordan, May 19: Iraq is still hopeful of agreeing on a draft oil law this month that would allow parliament to pass it soon, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said on Saturday.

“Negotiations are supposed to start fairly soon in Baghdad in order to go over the details of the appendixes to the law as well as the modalities for revenue distribution,” Salih said on the sidelines of a conference in Jordan.

He said a Kurdish delegation was in Baghdad and he would be returning to Iraq on Sunday to start the negotiations.

Salih said those asking for talks want to ensure that the law includes checks and balances to the equitable distribution of revenue and want to debate the scope of activity and control of the Iraqi National Oil Company.

“Let’s hope that this is done before the end of the month,” he said, adding that a deal would mean the law would be sent to parliament for deliberation approval.

Describing the oil law as the single most important piece of legislation facing Iraq, Salih said it would shape the country’s economy for a long time.—Reuters